Wind Turbine Technician Schools in Alabama

Wind turbine technicians in Alabama are called upon to work on wind turbines that generate clean and renewable energy. Although their main concern is working on the major components, including the nacelle and blades, professionals in this field are expected to have a robust understanding of wind energy technology in general.

Below, we have highlighted all the major requirements needed to become a wind turbine technician in Alabama. We begin by exploring the individual steps before focusing on the licensure/certification requirements.

Readers will also discover the best training programs and possible annual earnings depending on several important factors.

How to Become a Wind Turbine Technician in Alabama

Below are the considerations necessary to launch a successful wind turbine technician career in Alabama.

Start with a Diploma

A career as a wind turbine technician in Alabama usually starts with a high school diploma. This is the basic educational qualification with which one may seek training on the job or enter an academic program.

A GED equivalent may be used in place of a high school diploma. Candidates should also be prepared to pass a physical examination, seeing as the duties of a wind turbine technician are quite physically demanding.

Learning On the Job

Learning on the job is possible for aspiring wind turbine technicians in Alabama. A college degree is not mandatory; a high school diploma could suffice to secure on-the-job training positions.

Such positions may be offered by apprenticeship programs or potential employers willing to train candidates themselves. Having some prior experience with electrical technology may also make it easier to secure such training positions.

Academic Training Programs

While a degree is not mandatory to become a wind turbine technician in Alabama, having one can still be beneficial. It helps candidates secure job placement easily and earn more by taking on more extensive and supervisory positions.

Wind turbine technician academic programs can be found in community colleges and technical institutions.

Additionally, candidates usually have an option between short-term certificate programs and associate degree programs, depending on how long they’re willing to spend in training. Certificate programs may be completed within a few months to a year, while associate degree programs take 18 months to 2 years.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn the steps to become a solar technician in Alabama

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Once training is complete, the next important consideration for a new wind turbine technician is certification. While Alabama does not mandate state certification for wind turbine technicians, many professionals voluntarily pursue national certifications to enhance their career prospects..

They do so because becoming certified provides several career benefits, including professional networking opportunities, increased appeal to potential employers, and access to educational materials for career improvement.

Several professional organizations offer wind turbine technician credentials for candidates in Alabama and across the country. One of the most nationally recognized is the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Additionally, GWO BST, GWO BTT, and OSHA 30 certifications help wind turbine service technicians become highly sought after in the industry.

Top Wind Turbine Technician Schools in Alabama

The following are the top wind turbine technicians schools in Alabama.

Explore wind turbine technician schools in Alabama by city:

• Wind turbine technician schools in Birmingham

Salary & Career Outlook

In Alabama, wind turbine technicians typically begin their careers with an average annual salary ranging from $30,817 to $49,153. ZipRecruiter shows these expected earnings for the lowest 10% and median workers, respectively.

The factors that most influence where an individual will fall include their location within the state, the length of time they’ve been on the job, their specialty skills, and their employer.

Those on the positive side of all these factors may even break from the range and find themselves among the highest-paid in the top 10%. In this case, they may earn an annual average salary of up to $71,604.

Alabama is a good place to work as a wind turbine technician. Fairfield’s annual average salary is $52,244, Mobile’s is $53,226, and Athens’s is $52,338.

Many employers offer per diem payments to cover travel and living expenses, thereby boosting overall compensation. These charges vary by employer, location, and the job at hand.